Of Montreal
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Of Montreal were among the second wave of groups to join the Elephant 6 Collective. Created by Kevin Barnes after a failed romance with a woman from Montreal, the group is typical of many Elephant 6 bands due to its interests in combining musical experimentation and the basic tenets of pop (ie. catchy melodies and sing along choruses).
Style
One of the band's notable features is the relatively wide range of styles represented throughout their discography. Styles like lo-fi, neo-psychedelia, and indie pop variously characterize their albums (due in part to the gradual increase in financial resources for the band).
In regards to lyrics, many songs recount a small narrative surrounding an invented character (eg. "Jacques Lamure" and "The Autobiographical Grandpa" from The Gay Parade; "Mimi Merlot" and "Rose Robert" from Coquelicot). Others are apparent extracts from fictional conversations (eg. "Advice From a Divorced Gentleman to His Bachelor Friend Considering Marriage" from The Gay Parade and "Good Morning Mr. Edminton" from Coquelicot which follows a kidnapper's plan to release two men being held for ransom on the condition they give him a job). However, this distinct feature is not as prevalent in their earliest and most recent albums. Another notable quality of the band is the occasional fusion of ostensibly gloomy lyrics with bouncy, up beat melodies and hooks. On Aldhils Arboretum, the lyrics for tracks like "Doing Nothing" and "Old People in the Cemetary" focus on apathy, loneliness or death while being contrasted with cheerful, whimsical instrumentals. Another example of this tendency is "I Felt Like Smashing my Head Through a Clear Glass Window" from The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit's Flower.
Discography
- Cherry Peel (1997)
- The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit's Flower' (1997)
- The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy (1998)
- The Gay Parade (1999)
- Horse & Elephant Eatery (No Elephants Allowed): The Singles and Songles Album (2000)
- The Early Four Track Recordings (2001)
- Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse' (2001)
- Aldhils Aboretum (2002)
- If He is Protecting Our Nation, Then Who Will Protect Big Oil, Our Children? (2003)
- Satanic Panic in the Attic (2004)
- The Gladiator Nightstick Collection (2004)
- Sunlandic Twins (2005)
External Links
Of Montreal's Official Site (http://www.ofmontreal.net)